Re: Gouldian conductors?

["Baldwin, Daniel" <baldwin@baermarks.com>]

        Cliff -- thanks for writing in! You pose a fascinating question, and
one which we could probably discuss for weeks. Just for starters -- there
are some composers (like Boulez,  as Jim M. mentioned) who consistently take
this x-ray approach. However, just as GG's approach to piano-playing is
revelatory for some composers (e.g. Bach), and misapplied to others (e.g.
Mozart, where it is actually magnified to the point of distortion), this
approach to conducting works for some works and not for others. The examples
which most readily come to mind for me are specific performances of specific
works, rather than the overall output of a particular conductor. Plus, it
depends what you mean by "xray". A conductor like Furtwangler can bring out
things you have never heard in a score before, by means of phrasing or
emphasis of lines which ordinarily are submerged in the texture (e.g. the
1944 live recording of Eroica with Vienna Phil, or his set of Brahms
symphonies,  I think from early '50s), but the orchestral textures
themselves are not always transparent (i.e., where the consistent with the
interpretation, density rather than clarity will be emphasized.)

        In any event, you seem to be talking about the clear articulation of
vertical elements (like looking into a chrystal clear lake and being able to
see straight to the bottom)  Szell can be a good example of that (like his
recordings of Mozart's late symphonies with the Cleveland orchestra.
Gardiner also has this capacity (his Eroica or 5th symphonies). And
Bernstein (yes, Bernstein!) can elucidate contrpuntal lines in Mahler with
great clarity (his 5th with the Vienna Phil, or his 4th with NY Phil).
        I'm sure that those on the list who are musically trained (I'm not;
my formal musical education consists of  three years of piano lessons at
ages 9-11) can provide more examples.

        Regards --


-----Original Message-----
From: King Fai [mailto:cliffl@ECE.UBC.CA]
Sent: Monday, September 18, 2000 11:53 PM
To: F_MINOR@EMAIL.RUTGERS.EDU
Subject: Gouldian conductors?


Dear fellow f-minoreans,

Having been a lurker all this while, I feel it's perhaps time I came
out and made a little contribution to the list, from which I've
derived so much pleasure reading.

I recently listened to the "GG plays/conducts Wagner" CD from our
public library.  A chord was struck in my heart by GG's own (albeit
half-serious) comment (to Vladimir Golschmann): "My retirement after a
successful career of one concert will, I am sure, be an irreparable
loss in the music world."  With his analytical mind and daring
approach, his meticulous care to contrapuntal details and grasp of
form, he's indeed got what it takes to be an outstanding and very
individual conductor.

I often borrow music scores from the library to read along while
listening to records, because I find a visual aid sometimes necessary
for an appreciation of all the simultaneous instrumental lines,
especially in late-romantic orchestral music.  Some conductors seem to
prefer a "glorious mud of sound".  I wonder if there are any
conductors, present or past, who could be called "Gouldian" in this
sense, who take great pains to bring an "x-ray" transparency to a
score, who dare to defy conventions just to be true to their artistic
visions, or who are simply known admirers of GG?  Any particular
performances, on record or live?

Regards,
Cliff